…tales of an American expat in southeast Asia…

How do vehicles talk?

By honking, of course! And where are they the most splendid conversationalists? I’d have to say, the Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Please note that I have not limited this to conversations among cars only, we’re talking motor bikes, bicycles, cyclos, busses, any kind of transportation you can think of, plus one or two more you never knew existed. Without looking out of our cute hotel room window, I would venture to guess that there are about 50 vehicles all crowded on the narrow street outside, having a lively conversation about who is going where and who better get out of the way. All the while, all sorts of vendors, tourists and Hanoians wander slowly and serenly through the sea of vehicles around them.

We are having an amazing time in Vietnam – first 3 days on Halong Bay, yesterday a wonderful bike tour of an ancient city about an hour outside of Hanoi (I have no idea what the name of the city is, though).

Today we’re off to visit Ho Chi Min’s mausoleum and the museum of ethnology, both highly recommended by the Lonely Planet and locals alike. In a few days, we’ll be on our way to Hoi An and Hue.

Just dropped by because of photo hunting and it’s funny our son with his girlfriend is also there and they spent New Year in Hanoi, they stayed 3 weeks in Vietnam and today they are in Thailand for another 10 days. You will probably show us pictures ? I hope so !

You should definitely find some time to visit Vietnam. I have to admit, it’s nothing like I imagined (maybe I imagined it wrong), but it is amazing. We loved the Old Quarter of Hanoi and felt like it was it’s own world unto itself – completely different from any other place we’ve ever been, yet with obvious Chinese and South East Asian influences. A very unique place. Of course the rest of Vietnam was just as wonderful, especially Hoi An, which I loved.

Jinna,

You’re back! Hooray! I’m still not sure about the redesign, but I just can’t seem to find anything else I like 100% either…

Gattina,

We were in Hanoi for New Year’s as well! What an interesting city! And we’re off to Thailand today, what a coincidence. What does your son do for work? Or is he just on vacation?

Maryam,

I wish I could take credit for the picture, but I did see basically the same thing in real life. It was absolutely stunning.

About

superkimbo has been living overseas since 2000 - the first five years in Munich, Germany, then two years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and currently in Bangkok, Thailand. superkimbo enjoys the married life with the wonderful albtraum. Nosy? Read more about superkimbo here.